Monthly Archives: November 2017

Thanksgiving is a time when we traditionally pause to consider everything we appreciate about our lives and those that surround us. It also reminds us that there are many worthy causes that need our support.

After you finish your “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” holiday shopping, please consider giving back to your community and helping so many in need with a gift to Liberty Lutheran on what is known as “Giving Tuesday” – Tuesday, November 28.

Help Bring Nature’s Beauty to Seniors
Nature is medicine for the soul. At Paul’s Run, nature abounds in our gardens and outdoor spaces. Located throughout our property, these specially designed and maintained areas inspire and bring joy to our residents.
Help us raise $3,000 to delight the hearts and souls of the Paul’s Run community by sustaining and improving our gardens – The Friendship Garden, The Secret Garden, and the Liberty Walk Garden.You can make your gift here.

Help Improve the Health & Wellbeing of West Philly Seniors
Health is a blessing, never to be taken for granted. With your help, the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center can save another life.
LCFS’ West Philadelphia Senior Community Center stands as an integral resource for older adults in West Philadelphia, providing services to one of the city’s most underserved communities. Daily we are improving lives through nutrition and wellness programs.You can make your gift here.

Liberty Lutheran and our Family of Services are proud to join other organizations, charities, community centers, businesses, families, students and others from across the world for the #GivingTuesday philanthropic movement.

You can follow the progress of our #GivingTuesday campaigns by following Liberty Lutheran on Twitter @LibertyLutheran.

On November 21st, members of The Becoming Center donated 527 Christmas gifts for Operation Christmas Child, an effort managed by the international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. The effort calls on volunteers to pack items in neatly wrapped shoeboxes, which are sent to children in crisis areas throughout the world. The Becoming Center’s more than 1,300 members include members of the public, and residents and staff of Artman, an Ambler senior community center.

“The holiday season provides an opportunity to reflect on how fortunate we are, and to give back. Our members and staff do a great job of coordinating everything, and our community is thrilled to be part of such a wonderful outreach program,” said Anthony Byers, director of The Becoming Center. “Operation Christmas Child brings joy to children who face extraordinary challenges on a daily basis, through no fault of their own. We are grateful to be able to help those who are less fortunate.”

In 2017, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 12 million children in countries like Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda and Ukraine. Nearly 11.5 million shoebox gifts were collected worldwide in 2016, with more than 9.1 million collected in the U.S. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 146 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

“Simple gifts like these make such a difference in the lives of children in need. Beyond meeting basic needs, a shoebox gift can give a child hope, love and even perhaps the opportunity to attend school,” said Lucas Zellers, media relations coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse.

Learn more about the Becoming Center and see our list of both land and aquatic classes at BecomingCenter.org.

There’s no need for store bought rolls on Thanksgiving when fresh baked rolls are so easy to make. Craig Hamilton, executive chef at Liberty Lutheran’s Village at Penn State has a family recipe to share.

“This is a family recipe handed down from my great-great grandmother and has been at Thanksgiving and Christmas each and every year for decades. The joke with the rolls is that they are the last thing to go in the oven and we always have to wait to eat because, as my grandmother, Jackie Douty, always says, ‘We will eat when the darn rolls are ready!’ This was my grandmother’s famous saying.”

Combine all wet ingredients together.
Add flour and mix together till dry.
Work with hands with oil until your form a big flour like ball.
Work until stiff.
Grease a large bowl and place dough in and cover with wet towel.
Let the ball of dough double in size.
Knead once more and let rise again.
Knead into little balls and let stand.
Bake in oven at 425’F for about 20 minutes turning only once.
Take out and rub butter on to of rolls and let sit for 10 minutes.
Serve while still warm.

Learn more about The Village at Penn State and how you can enjoy a carefree lifestyle in a beautiful, maintenance-free residence, complete with exquisite dining, and the comfort and health care security you deserve. Share in the fun with a group of like-minded friends and visit us at RetireatPennState.org.

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” ~Maya Angelou

In 2015, Liberty Hospicelaunched the We Honor Veterans program, an initiative established by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veteran Affairs.

The program is a demonstration of Liberty Hospice’s commitment to offering veteran-specific care and services provided by a competent and highly skilled workforce.

Each veteran who enters care with Liberty Hospice is recognized at a We Honor Veterans service. Held either at his or her bedside or wherever the veteran is comfortable, he or she is recognized with an individual certificate and a pin marking their service.

Having served three years of active duty in the US Army Military Police Corps, Karynjean Dickhoff, chaplain for Liberty Hospice, understands how important this service is for veterans and their families. She also believes that acknowledging the shared bond of military service makes veterans more comfortable with receiving gratitude for their service.

“Many call it a ‘quiet understanding’”, said Karynjean. “No matter the age difference, branch of service, or conflicts fought, whenever veterans meet, there is a respect and trust that is instantly formed.”

Joe* was with Liberty Hospice for only seven days. During that brief time, Karynjean held a We Honor Veterans service for him with his wife and daughter at his side. At first, Joe was reluctant to see a chaplain.

On the day of the ceremony, those in attendance thanked him for his service. When Karynjean thanked him and shared her story of service, Joe asked a simple question, “Who has thanked you today?” He and Karynjean formed a bond, which his family found comforting and valuable throughout his time with Liberty Hospice.

Joe’s story is just one of many examples of how Liberty Hospice continues to honor and support veterans.

Annette Conran, director of Liberty Hospice, has stayed in touch with Joe’s family. “After speaking with his wife and daughter, it was clear how much the We Honor Veterans program meant to Joe,” said Annette. “They shared he took comfort in the connection he made with Karynjean and our staff.”

In 2018, Liberty Hospice looks forward to building on its current capacities to further master the We Honor Veterans four levels of commitment. According to NHPCO, these levels include providing veteran-centric education for staff and volunteers, building organizational capacity to provide quality care for vets, developing and strengthening relationships with VA medical centers and other veteran organizations, and increasing access and improving quality of care for veterans in the community.

“Collaboration is when magic is made by more than one person.”
~ Michael Urie, actor, director and producer ~

You couldn’t find a more apt saying in regard to our epic mosaic project, The Seasons of Our Lives. Over the last year, this exceptional endeavor has brought together residents, families, staff, and community friends who have been joining their creative energy to develop a timeless masterpiece.

You can find them gleefully absorbed in rolling and cutting clay, molding tiles, imprinting designs, and painting on dazzling color once their handiwork is fired in a kiln. Side-by-side they work—residents, their children, and grandchildren, student groups and staff, youngsters and the young-at-heart.

It is solely because of the kindness of our donors that we’ve been able to embark on this project, which continues to bring joy to so many people—especially our residents. Even after the last mosaic panel is installed, the fellowship, fulfillment, and vitality of this shared endeavor will long be remembered.

“Many pieces have come together to make the whole and there’s just been so much imagination. It’s amazing what residents have come up with—things I wouldn’t even think of such as new ways to handle the tools or new ways to look at the clay. It’s been wonderful!” says Katia McGuirk, the professional ceramic artist who is spearheading the project.

Like Katia, family members have been delighted to see how the making of the mosaic has awakened or rekindled creativity within their loved ones. “Mom is an artist and to do a project like this is really exciting. It’s really nice to know this is something that’s going to be so lasting,” says one resident’s daughter. Another family echoes this sentiment, saying, “It makes us feel good that Mom is such a part of this and really enjoying it. And, she’s getting good therapy on her hands!”

One family witnessed an unexpected, but very pleasant surprise. “Before Dad came to Artman he would have had no interest in doing something like this—but he’s enjoying it! He’s using his hands and making some pretty cool things.”

It is your kind interest and support that has helped us to so far raise $29,000 to fund the making of this extraordinary mosaic. We’ve now reached the final leg of this beloved project and need to raise just $15,000 more so that our community can enjoy this artistic treasure for years to come.